Everton striker Martin Sherif continues to earn major praise during his loan spell at Rotherham United.
Most of the attention on Everton’s loanees centres around Harrison Armstrong as he continues to shine for Preston North End.
Everton also decided to send Martin Sherif out on loan for first-team exposure in League One.
Sherif attracted plenty of EFL interest, but League One side Rotherham United pounced to sign him on loan after impressing at Everton.
Sherif has been in and out of the Rotherham side due to injury, but he has shown flashes of his talent.
Martin Sherif during friendly between tranmere Rovers and Everton.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Rotherham United boss praises Everton’s Martin Sherif
Millers boss Matt Hamshaw praised Sherif in October, suggesting that he is a ‘game-changing’ option in attack.
Sherif has scored twice in 303 minutes of League One action and came off the bench in a 3-0 win over Lincoln City on Saturday.
Hamshaw has now offered more praise for Sherif, while speaking to The Football League Paper (09/11, page 3).
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Hamshaw suggested that Sherif has ‘huge, huge potential’ and predicted that he will do ‘amazing things’ in the future.
The Rotherham boss has been left frustrated by Sherif’s repeated injury concerns, but accepts that it can happen with first-time loanees.
Hamshaw praised Sherif’s physicality, but wants to see the forward improve his link-up play in order to really take his game to the next level.
“Martin’s got huge, huge potential,” said Hamshaw.
“I’m sure he’s going to go on to do amazing things in his career, and I think you’ll certainly be hearing a lot about him over these coming years.
“It’s just so frustrating that our fans haven’t been able to see more of him. It’s little niggles here and there, which is something you do tend to see happen with a first loan.
“But at the same time, he’s done really well since he got here. He’s a big boy. He gets hold of the football. He can run the channels and score goals.
“He’s obviously still learning the game at men’s level because I think at 21s level he’s probably just bigger and stronger than everyone else.
“Even if his touch is slightly off, he’s so big and powerful that he can keep defenders at bay, whereas at this level that’s not so easy. He does need to improve his link-up play and stuff,” he added.
Martin Sherif looking to save David Moyes millions
Sherif is still cutting his teeth in League One, and injuries mean he hasn’t played quite as much football as he would have liked.
Hopefully, Sherif can get himself fit and nail down a spot in Hamshaw’s Rotherham side.
Sherif’s ultimate goal will be to play first-team football for Everton, and he is currently watching both Beto and Thierno Barry struggle for goals.
The Toffees could spend on a new striker in 2026, but Sherif will be looking to prove that he can save Everton millions down the line.
Even if Sherif impresses in League One, the next step is likely to be a loan move to the Championship or somewhere in Europe.
A first-team role at Everton will not be easy, but all Sherif can do is take the chances that come his way – and hopefully convince David Moyes to snub spending more cash on strikers while proving Hamshaw’s prediction correct.